ATP CHINA DRAW

ATP CHINA

Top seeds:

1. D. Thiem
2. A. Zverev
3. S. Tsitsipas
4. K. Khachanov

Number 2 seed Zverev has been handed a tricky tie against Tiafoe in the first round. The German leads the head to head 4-1 and, on paper, he should get through. Tiafoe, however, took Zverev to a fifth set decider in the US Open, so this tie will not be easy.

Nor will it get any easier in the second round for either player because they will face an in form Ramos-Vinolas or the upcoming star Auger-Aliassime. Ramos-Vinolas is coming off a great run in Zhuhai, while Aliassime is hoping to break a 4 match losing streak stretching back to early August in Montreal.

Number one seed Thiem is yet to win a match in Beijing – this will be his third year to participate in the tournament. Thiem has had contrasting results over the past month in the Davis Cup and Laver Cup. He will have a tough opponent in Gasquet in the first round. Potential opponents in the second round are Edmund and Zhang. Edmund is on a terrible run of form but still goes into this match as big favourite. Zhang has better form, but against weaker opponents. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Edmund struggle, but expect him to win nonetheless.

Khachanov, the fourth seed, will open against qualifier Cuevas, and could meet Cecchinato or Chardy in the second round if he prevails. The Russian could face Fognini in the quarter final, but only if the Italian gets past Kukushkin in the first round, and also Dimitrov or Rublev in the last 16.

Tsitsipas is the favourite in his quarter, and will meet Lajovic in the first round. Lajovic was a finalist in Monte Carlo in 2019 and won outright in Umag. His form recently is not as good but he will put up some resistance no doubt. Tsitsipas retired in the first round in Zhuhai and this could be a concern. And if we cross out some recent wins against weak opposition in the Davis Cup, Tsitsipas is not hot right now. An interesting tie awaits.

Enjoy, and please feel free to leave a comment below.

Patrick.